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Tag Archives | Artists of the Year

CMT Helps Lead The Way Forward Setting A Standard Within Country Music

By on February 3, 2019 in Music, Special Events, The Latest, Uncategorized

I have always been impressed with CMT, they are not afraid to try new things, take chances or offer support where it is needed.

Six years ago, CMT created the Next Women of Country initiative.  This initiative seeks out the most talented, up-and-coming women in country music.  Each year a new class is inducted into this musical sisterhood bringing them together and offering support.  They are celebrated with an elegant brunch held at City Winery where an ornate stage is set and each new inductee shares an original song during an acoustic round.

This initiative was created to support up-and-coming women in country music has been very successful.  More new women are breaking through on country radio now like Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, and Lauren Alaina; all members of Next Women of Country inducted into it before they achieved success.  However, there is still a long way to go for women trying to break through on country radio.  Not nearly enough women are being played on radio.  Not in comparison to the men.  We just need it to be equal.  CMT seeks to change that with this program they have developed and in support of a yearly tour featuring some of the members of this group.

This past year, CMT took their support of women one step further with their annual Artists of the Year event held at the Schmerhorn Symphony Hall in downtown Nashville.

This elegant, televised, music industry-only event celebrated the best women of country music this year this past fall.  Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum, Maren Morris, and Kelsea Ballerini all were honored for their contributions to country music.  The evening featured performances by them celebrating their music along with fun collaborations with well-known artists from other genres.

This event typically will feature men also like past honorees: Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, and more.  It spotlights the best of country music yearly.  However, since last year, it has become a more socially conscious event with the prior year focused on support & healing from the mass shooting at the Route 91 Festival in Las Vegas where the entire country music community was impacted one way or another and some healing was needed to try to overcome the sadness of this tragic event.

CMT also has the EMERGE program that seeks to support and gather together members along with supporters of the LGTBQ+ community to bring to the forefront issues surrounding members of the community within country music.

This past fall they held an event in their office hosted by CMT’s Cody Alan that featured leaders within the country music industry that are part of the LGTBQ+ community: Shane Tarleton, Anthony Barton, Katie Dean, and Chip Dorsch.  Artist Maggie Rose, who is a strong supporter of the LGTBQ+ community, was also featured on the panel to discuss issues around this community and performed a short set afterwards for attendees.

I hope CMT continues leading the way in country music as they have been doing these past few years by pushing the boundaries and supporting those they feel need it.  If it is a CMT endeavor, it is always guaranteed to be well-produced and high quality.  They are certainly worth supporting for their great efforts towards change and providing quality television programming along with playing country music videos.  This is why I will always give them my support.

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2017 CMT’s ARTISTS OF THE YEAR: Reaching New Heights & Night Of Healing

By on October 22, 2017 in Music, Special Events, The Latest

On Wednesday, October 18th, CMT hosted its 5th annual ARTISTS OF THE YEAR once again at the beautiful Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville sponsored by RAM Trucks and Variety.

Honorees this year were: Florida Georgia Line, Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, Chris Stapleton, Luke Bryan, and Sam Hunt.

In previous years, the night has focused solely on honoring the selected honorees from country music.  However, due to the recent onslaught of devastating events affecting so many in our country from the Route 91 mass shooting in Las Vegas to so many suffering after the damage of several hurricanes, the night turned its focus towards the healing power that can be found in music and remembering those lost this year in the genre.

The crisp fall night began with a lavish pre-party sponsored by Variety in the beautiful main lobby entrance area of the elegant symphony hall.  The wine flowed and decadent hors d’oeuvres were served by an attentive waitstaff along with a vast selection of cheese and fruit from a decorative centerpiece table setting.

Following the pre-party, we were seated inside at tables in the beautifully-decorated performance area of the venue for the prompt start of the live taped show.  Again, an attentive waitstaff took our drink orders throughout the show and made it an enjoyable evening for all in attendance.

Some of the biggest names in the music industry from artists to behind-the-scenes from labels, management, public relations, booking agencies, producers, and many more.  All decked out in beautiful dresses and suits fitting of this elagant occassion.

The show opened with a beautiful and powerful collaboration between Andra Day and Little Big Town setting the perfect tone for the evening with “Rise Up”.

Some of my favorite moments were Lionel Richie’s introduction of Luke Bryan.  He was charming, funny, and does he EVER age?! Keith Urban’s performance of his recent hit and what he has dubbed his “sexiest song” to date when interviewed during his #1 party for this song, “Blue Ain’t Your Color”.  It was raw, poignant, and even sexier than ever, which I did not think was possible, but he nailed it, as always.  The Backstreet Boys sang a beautiful, 5-part harmony version of “Holy” honoring their friends and tourmates, Florida Georgia Line.  I’m especially ready for a full on collaboration between the two vocal groups after what I saw of them at the recent CMT CROSSROADS.

My absolute favorite moment of the evening came at the very end closing out the show as Jason Aldean was honored and took the stage joined by his friends in a show of solidarity: Little Big Town, Chris Stapleton, and Keith Urban.  Luke Bryan introduced them to the stage and explained that Aldean had a hard time trying to select what he would sing to commemorate the evening, that he kept coming back to a classic Tom Petty song he started singing as an artist when he first moved to Nashville, “I Won’t Back Down”.

With the recent passing of this musical legend and the circumstances Jason Aldean found himself in just 2 weeks ago as he performed in Las Vegas and was on stage when the shooting happened, it was a very fitting song selection.  All of the country music industry found itself impacted in some way as it hit home all across Music Row and heartbroken as this tragic occurrence happened at a country music festival in Las Vegas.  A song about strength in the face of adversity and a show of solidarity among a few friends, was a perfect message, heartfelt, and felt very healing for all present.  Near the end of the performance everyone in the audience stood up, unprompted, in a united stand of support and show of strength to clap along.  It was a beautiful moment.

Following the show, we were treated by a fun after party, again sponsored by Variety in the same area as the show took place.  We did have to leave the ornate and elagant room as the catering staff set-up for the after party.  Catering for the night was provided by G Catering.

Everyone was ready to celebrate a very special evening following the show  Again, the cocktails and wine were flowing from open bars.  It was a festive and playful atmosphere this time as waitstaff dressed as delivery staff served guests mini gourmet pizzas in small boxes, Chinese food served in mini Chinese take out boxes from an old-fashioned bicycle in its baskets, with hamburger and taco stands to the sides serving mini boxes topped with the CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR logo.

It was a perfect ending to a perfect night, and one that I hope to be fortunate enough to partake in again next fall.

Singer Philip Phillips, who performed Sam Hunt’s “Body Like A Backroad” during the show mixing with guests at the after party.

Jason Aldean & friends’ heartfelt version of “I Won’t Back Down” is available now for purchase and downloads from iTunes and Google Play.  All money raised from the sales will be donated to charity and the victims of the recent tragedies.

Record audience numbers were set by the televised airing of this year’s ARTISTS OF THE YEAR on CMT. Soaring well above audience numbers of its airings in the past 4 years.

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“2017 CMT Artists Of The Year” Special Soars To New Ratings Highs And Ranks As Most Watched In Event History

By on October 20, 2017 in In The Press

Following the devastating hurricanes, horrific California wildfires and tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas, CMT transformed the annual “CMT Artists of the Year”’ special into a night of hope and healing through the power of music featuring honoreesChris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban and Luke Bryan.  The live event from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center notched its highest ratings to date to rank as the most watched in the event’s eight-year history. The 90-minute premiere telecast posted a .35 A 18-49 L+SD, a 61% year-over-year increase. The event performed even stronger with women notching .42 W 18-49, up 73% from one year ago. More than 1.1 million fans tuned in to the premiere telecast and the encore.

“We felt a commitment to our fans to transform the event into a night where we honor human resilience through music, and hopefully in the process lift the spirits of our fans,” said Frank Tanki, General Manager of CMT and TV Land. “We’re thrilled that the special connected with so many people, especially those who’ve been impacted by the recent tragedies.”

Given the recent shooting in Las Vegas, it’s especially poignant that the special performed strongest in that market, where it posted a 1.77 household rating, an increase of 1867%. The special generated significant growth in other top-tier markets as well, including Tampa (1.10 HH, +320%) ,Philadelphia (1.05 HH, +320%), New Orleans (1.03 HH, +1044%), Columbus (.63 HH, +688%) Denver (.56, +60%), San Diego (.49, +277%), New York (.33, +725%) and Boston (.27 HH, +59%).

CMT created three public service announcements for the special featuring top country stars like Blake Shelton and Dolly Parton. Leveraged media relationships helped amplify CMT One Country’s campaign to support victims of the recent tragedies, generating more than $1 million in media value across a myriad of platforms.

Socially, #CMTAOTY trended nationally on Twitter during the show. “CMT Artists of the Year” ranked as the #1 Most Social Entertainment Program in Primetime on Cable (Nielsen Social Content Ratings, Facebook & Twitter, excludes Sports and News Networks).

The 2017 “CMT Artists of the Year” was a high-spirited salute to fans, featuring cross-genre collaborations including “Rise Up” from Andra Day and Little Big Town, who set the inspirational tone for the evening. Andra Dayand Common also joined forces with Danielle Bradbery, Lee Ann Womack and Little Big Townfor a powerful performance of “Stand Up For Something,” earning a standing ovation from the audience. Additional performers includedBackstreet Boys, Luke Bryan, Phillip Phillips,Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban and Jason Aldean, who was joined by fellow honorees Stapleton and Urban to close the show with a message of perseverance on the late Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.”

The news comes on the on the heels of a strong year for CMT, which has posted ten consecutive months of year-over-year ratings growth with Adults 18-49 and with Women 18-49. Quarter-to-date, CMT is up +30% from year ago with Adults 18-49 and up +36% with Women 18-49. (L+SD, CMT Total Day).

Visit cmtonecountry.com to find out how you can help those affected by the recent devastating hurricanes, wildfires and mass shooting in Las Vegas.

“CMT Artists of the Year” will be retelecast on Thursday, October 19 at 12 a.m. ET/PT and Saturday, October 21 at 12 p.m., ET/PT.

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Backstreet Boys And Phillip Phillips Join Can’t-Miss Performance Line-up For “2017 CMT Artists Of The Year

By on October 18, 2017 in In The Press

Special to Include Appearances by Amy Grant, Blake Shelton, Bobby Bones, Brothers Osborne, Chris Young, Dolly Parton, Kelsea Ballerini, Lionel Richie and Vince Gill
LIVE from Nashville Wednesday, October 18 at 8pm ET/PT

CMT today announced pop icons Backstreet Boys and fan-favorite singer/songwriter Phillip Phillips have been added to the performance roster for this year’s “CMT Artists of the Year” special airing live from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Wednesday, October 18 at 8 PM ET/PT. The evening will feature performances from the honorees, as well as Andra Day,Common, Lee Ann Womack and Little Big Town,who will set the tone for the evening with an opening performance of the anthemic “Rise Up,” and “Stand Up For Something.”

Fresh off their “CMT Crossroads,” Backstreet Boys will celebrate their good friends and “2017 CMT Artists of the Year” honorees Florida Georgia Line, while American Idol-winner Phillip Phillips will toast inaugural “Song of the Year” Award-winner “Body Like A Back Road” by Sam Hunt.

The special includes messages of hope and support for fans directly from country superstar Blake Shelton, Grand Ole Opry member Chris Young, Grammy-winner and legend Dolly Parton and ACM-winner Kelsea Ballerini.

Presenters will include Grammy-winner Amy Grant, nationally syndicated on-air personality and New York Times best-selling author Bobby Bones, CMA-winners Brothers Osborne, Grammy-winner Lionel Richie, CMT Artist of the Year Luke Bryan and Grammy-winner Vince Gill.

The 2017 “Artists of the Year” honorees includeChris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban and Luke Bryan as the five artists who collectively dominated the last 12 months in country music, ruling CMT’s platforms and country radio, scoring chart-topping albums and singles, and selling out arenas across the country. In addition, Sam Hunt, along with co-writers Zach Crowell, Shane McAnallyand Josh Osborne, will be honored with the first-ever “Song of the Year” Award for mega-hit “Body Like A Back Road.”

This year’s special will forgo the formal presentations of awards and speeches in favor of heartfelt messages from the honorees directly to their fans. The special will unite artists from all genres and feature a mix of never-before-seen collaborations and performances from the honorees.

About CMT
CMT is the leading authority on country music and lifestyle, offering a mix of original series, music events and specials. CMT is everywhere its fans are including two cable channels (CMT and the 24-hour music channel, CMT Music), radio (CMT Radio), digital (CMT App, CMT.com) and social (CMT on Facebook, CMT on Instagram and CMT on Twitter). CMT is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).

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CMT Will Transform “Artists Of The Year” Special From Year-End Celebration Into A Night Of Hope And Healing Featuring Honorees Chris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban And Luke Bryan  

By on October 12, 2017 in In The Press

Following the devastating hurricanes, horrific California wildfires and tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas, CMT today announced plans to transform this year’s “CMT Artists of the Year”’ special from a year-end celebration honoring the top artists of the year, into a night of hope and healing through the power of music featuring honoreesChris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban and Luke Bryan. The eighth-annual special will air live from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center onWednesday, October 18 at 8pm ET/PT.

Grammy-nominated Andra Day and Grammy Award-winners Little Big Town will set the tone for the evening with an opening performance of the anthemic “Rise Up,” and Day, Little Big Townand Grammy Award-winner Lee Ann Womackwill also perform Day’s new collaboration, the aptly titled “Stand Up For Something,” with Grammy Award-winner Common.

“Given the devastation of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, the raging California wildfires and the mass shootings in Las Vegas, we feel a commitment to our fans to address all of the tragedies not in one somber and solemn moment or segment, but rather devote the entire evening to uplifting the fans through high-spirited music,” said Frank Tanki, General Manager of CMT and TV Land. “Both “Rise Up” and “Stand Up for Something” are inspirational anthems that perfectly sum the message for the evening. The special has always been a place where artists from different genres can stand side-by-side, and now more than ever, we want to showcase the power of unity and resilience through music.”

The special will unite artists from all genres and feature a mix of never-before-seen collaborations and performances from the honorees. This year’s ceremony will forgo the formal presentations of awards and speeches in favor of heartfelt messages from the honorees directly to their fans. In addition, CMT has assembled the entertainment community to share messages of hope and healing. Additional performers will be announced at a later date.

About CMT
CMT is the leading authority on country music and lifestyle, offering a mix of original series, music events and specials. CMT is everywhere its fans are including two cable channels (CMT and the 24-hour music channel, CMT Music), radio (CMT Radio), digital (CMT App, CMT.com) and social (CMT on Facebook, CMT on Instagram and CMT on Twitter). CMT is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB). For more information, please visit CMT Press.

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“CMT Artists Of The Year” Honors Country’s Top Artists, Spirit Of Hurricane Harvey Victims And Courageous Volunteers

By on September 6, 2017 in In The Press

CMT today revealed it will honor Chris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban and Luke Bryan as the premiere country artists of 2017 celebrated at the eighth-annual “CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR” special live from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Wednesday, October 18 at 8pm ET/PT.

This year, the special will extend beyond music to honor the unwavering spirit of those impacted by Hurricane Harvey and champion the many volunteers contributing to the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts. In addition, throughout the event, country’s biggest stars will encourage fans to continue supporting the extensive recovery over the next year. More information will be announced at a later date.

“Working with our honorees and the entertainment community, we’ll take advantage of one of our biggest nights of the year to honor the resilience of those impacted by this disaster and applaud the fearless efforts of those on the front lines,” said Frank Tanki, General Manager of CMT and TV Land. “CMT is committed to providing our fans with the tools and resources needed to contribute to this massive recovery effort as well as connecting those affected to the support services they need.”

“CMT Artists of the Year” is the only awards special where music’s biggest stars toast one another with never-before-seen performances and hilarious and emotional moments during the 90-minute special. The five “Artists of the Year” collectively dominated the last 12 months in country music, ruling CMT’s platforms and country radio, scoring chart-topping albums and singles, and selling out arenas across the country.

The announcement comes on the heels of strong year for CMT, which has posted nine consecutive months of year-over-year ratings growth with Adults 18-49.  Quarter-to-date, CMT is up +15% from year ago with Adults 18-49 and up +18% with Women 18-49. (L+SD, CMT Total Day).

With this year’s honors, Jason Aldean andLuke Bryan extend their lead as the artists with the most wins with six each, while Bryan earns the distinction as the artist with the longest winning streak to date (2012-present). This marks both Jason Aldean and Keith Urban’s first returns to the list since 2014, while Chris Stapletonand Florida Georgia Line notch their second and fifth consecutive wins, respectively.

Last year’s annual special honoring Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line, Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Shania Twain and Thomas Rhett fueled growth across the board with L+3 ratings climbing +21% from last year’s telecast among A18-49, attracting nearly 2 million total viewers on premiere night and nearly 4 million total viewers throughout six telecasts throughout the weekend on CMT.  In fact, this year’s telecast marked the highest rated “Artists of the Year” special ever with M18-49. Socially, the special ranked as the #2 show of the night and #7 for the week among Nielsen’s Social Content Ratings.

Previous “CMT Artist of the Year” performances have included Adele and Darius Rucker performing Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now,” Meghan Trainor, Jill Scott and Kelsea Ballerini honoring Shania Twain with a medley of her biggest hits, Adam Lambert and Leona Lewis paying tribute to Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush,” and Maroon 5 covering Taylor Swift’s “Mine.” The show has featured appearances by Ellen DeGeneres, Matthew McConaughey, Selena Gomez, Billy Bob Thornton, Roger Clemens, Morgan Freeman, the cast of Nashville and more.

Former “CMT Artists of the Year” honorees include Kenny Chesney (2011, 2012), Eric Church (2012), Hunter Hayes (2013), Toby Keith (2012), Lady Antebellum (2010, 2011), Little Big Town (2015), Miranda Lambert(2012, 2014), Tim McGraw (2013), Brad Paisley (2011), Thomas Rhett (2016), Blake Shelton (2015), Taylor Swift (2010, 2011), Sam Hunt (2015), Carrie Underwood (2010, 2012, 2016), Thomas Rhett (2016) and Zac Brown Band (2010).

About CMT
CMT is the leading authority on country music and lifestyle, offering a mix of original series, music events and specials. CMT is everywhere its fans are including two cable channels (CMT and the 24-hour music channel, CMT Music), radio (CMT Radio), digital (CMT App, CMT.com) and social (CMT on Facebook, CMT on Instagram and CMT on Twitter). CMT is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB). For more information, please visit CMT Press.

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